Family Works - Social Worker in Schools (SWIS), Maternity cover

Fixed term – Maternity leave cover (March 2027 – December 2027)

About the role:

As a Family Works Social Worker in Schools (SWIS), you will be responsible for working with tamariki, their whānau, and other professionals to develop solution-focused plans to support and improve the child's educational outcomes, whānau safety, resilience and wellbeing, and meet other identified needs. 

You will predominantly be working in a local school/s and communities setting with a caseload of families, providing timely social work interventions and preventative social work services to vulnerable tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to encourage positive and lasting change. You will also be involved in the delivery of a range of educational group programmes for children. 

In this role you will: 

Engage with tamariki and whānau in a mana-enhancing and strengths-based manner to deliver social work interventions

• Conduct comprehensive assessment, risk assessment and planning of the needs and goals of whānau and support them to reach their aspirations by working collaboratively, encouraging clients to take an active role in their wellbeing outcomes.


• Ensure child safety is paramount and at the forefront of all interactions.


• Respond to tamariki and whānau needs using evidence-based and trauma-informed practice approaches that recognise the impact of attachment, neurodiversity, family harm, trauma and other complex issues.


• Develop working relationship with school principals, teachers and support staff, external agencies, government departments, and other professionals to ensure an integrated approach to whānau wellbeing is achieved.

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have a degree in social work, be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and hold a valid practicing certificate.

• Hold a clean, current full drivers' licence as an essential requirement.


• Have experience and understanding of working in Hawke's Bay communities.


• Be committed to bicultural practice and further developing cultural competency. 


• Be a team player who exudes our values of kotahitanga, whakapapa, whakamana, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and aroha with clients and colleagues.


• Be experienced in and passionate about working with tamariki and whānau in a strengths-based and solution-focused way.


• Prior experience in family harm interventions, trauma and attachment informed social work practice and group facilitation skills is favourable. 


• Have strong time management and oral/written communication skills alongside the ability to work well independently and under pressure. Self-confidence and resilience. 

Why work with Family Works:

We value our staff. We know that people want an opportunity to grow and develop their careers. We understand that the work is challenging, and staff need support, encouragement and to be looked after. 

Our focus is on collaboration through regular team meetings and support, offering generous training opportunities agreed to suit your personal development needs and supporting staff wellbeing and wellness. 

Access to regular clinical supervision, payment of practicing certificate fees, a laptop and smart phone, plus access to fleet vehicles or mileage payment is standard.

Health insurance benefit and an annual Wellness Day are available.